Ecclesiastes 7:2
Parallel Verses
New International Version
It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.


English Standard Version
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.


New American Standard Bible
It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart.


King James Bible
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.


Holman Christian Standard Bible
It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, since that is the end of all mankind, and the living should take it to heart.


International Standard Version
It's better to attend a funeral than to attend a banquet, for everyone dies eventually, and the living will take this to heart.


American Standard Version
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.


Douay-Rheims Bible
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting: for in that we are put in mind of the end of all, and the living thinketh what is to come.


Darby Bible Translation
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: in that that is the end of all men, and the living taketh it to heart.


Young's Literal Translation
Better to go unto a house of mourning, Than to go unto a house of banqueting, For that is the end of all men, And the living layeth it unto his heart.


Cross References
Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.


Ecclesiastes 2:14
The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walks in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happens to them all.


Ecclesiastes 2:16
For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dies the wise man? as the fool.


Ecclesiastes 3:19
For that which befalls the sons of men befalls beasts; even one thing befalls them: as the one dies, so dies the other; yes, they have all one breath; so that a man has no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.


Ecclesiastes 3:20
All go to one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.


Ecclesiastes 6:6
Yes, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet has he seen no good: do not all go to one place?


Ecclesiastes 9:2
All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrifices, and to him that sacrifices not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that swears, as he that fears an oath.


Ecclesiastes 9:3
This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event to all: yes, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.


Jeremiah 16:8
You shall not also go into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and to drink.


Jump to Previous
Banqueting Better Death Destiny End Feasting Heart Hearts House Lay Mourning Weeping
Jump to Next
Banqueting Better Death Destiny End Feasting Heart Hearts House Lay Mourning Weeping
Commentaries
7:1-6 Reputation for piety and honesty is more desirable than all the wealth and pleasure in this world. It will do more good to go to a funeral than to a feast. We may lawfully go to both, as there is occasion; our Saviour both feasted at the wedding of his friend in Cana, and wept at the grave of his friend in Bethany. But, considering how apt we are to be vain and indulge the flesh, it is best to go to the house of mourning, to learn the end of man as to this world. Seriousness is better than mirth and jollity. That is best for us which is best for our souls, though it be unpleasing to sense. It is better to have our corruptions mortified by the rebuke of the wise, than to have them gratified by the song of fools. The laughter of a fool is soon gone, the end of his mirth is heaviness.

2. Proving that it is not a sensual enjoyment of earthly goods which is meant in Ec 3:13; 5:18. A thankful use of these is right, but frequent feasting Solomon had found dangerous to piety in his own case. So Job's fear (Ec 1:4, 5). The house of feasting often shuts out thoughts of God and eternity. The sight of the dead in the "house of mourning" causes "the living" to think of their own "end."
Ecclesiastes 7:1
Top of Page
Top of Page




Bible Apps.com